Carmel, NY – Saverio “Mike” Capalbo, age 97, of Carmel, NY and Vero Beach, FL passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 3, 2021 with his loving wife, Marie by his side. He was born in Pawling, NY on April 18, 1924, the son of Dominic and Agnes (Taney) Capalbo.
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Mike was drafted into the US Army on February 19, 1943. At the conclusion of basic training, he deployed overseas on a troop ship called the “Excelsior” heading to Ireland where further training took place. In June of 1944 they left on a liberty ship and landed at Utah Beach in Normandy, France on July 4, 1944.
Mike’s division made its way inland over the coming months encountering several battles with German soldiers along the way. Mike was hit by mortar fire overtaking Hill 88, about 15 miles from Brest, France. Upon recovery, he received the Purple Heart and rejoined his division and continued fighting until the end of the war. His division left France on the troop ship “Walker”, arriving in Newport News, VA in June of 1945. Mike was honorably discharged on October 22, 1945.
Mike worked for NY Central Railroad on the commuter line prior to being drafted. Upon his arrival home, he resumed his conductor position with New York Central and stayed with the railroad, even as it merged and changed, for 44 years, retiring from what is now known as Metro North Commuter Railroad in 1986.
Mike was a member of VFW Post 672 in Brewster, NY and the Knights of Columbus. In his spare time he enjoyed reading about American history and playing golf.
Following the death of his first wife, Norma in 1986, he married Marie DiFalco on June 19, 1998. He and Marie enjoyed many years traveling both internationally and domestically, playing golf together and spending time at their homes in Carmel and Vero Beach.
In addition to Marie, he is survived by his daughter, Bonita Persson and her husband, Chris of Ohio, his brothers, Sy and Rollie, both of Pawling, his grandchildren, Melanie Capalbo and Geoffrey and Todd Persson, his great grandson, Anders Persson as well as many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 19 at 10 am at St. James the Apostle Church in Carmel. Entombment of Mike’s cremains will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Mike to the Wounded Warrior Project ( www.woundedwarriorproject.org )or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
( www.stjude.org ).
